This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday brings an abbreviated four-game slate that nevertheless manages to pack some star power in the form of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin and DeMarcus Cousins. Solid mid-tier value abounds, along with a minimum-priced starter that could both pay off handsomely and offer you significant flexibility to roster some of the elite. Here's our look at Thursday Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball.
GUARD
Jeff Teague, ATL at OKC ($30) - Teague is typically one of the most reliable options at point guard each time he takes the floor. After a rare 12.1-fantasy point clunker versus the Clippers on Nov. 28, Teague responded with 31.1, 35.5 and 25.2 fantasy points over his next three. He also tallied 31.0, 38.0 and 35.9 fantasy points in the trio of contests prior to his outlier against Los Angeles, illustrating how rare his poor performance really was. Teague might also be forced to take his aggression on offense up a notch Thursday, considering he'll be going head-to-head against Russell Westbrook.
Bojan Bogdanovic, BRO vs. PHI ($10) - Bogdanovic checks in as a "bonus" suggestion at guard, as an opportunity to nab a newly-minted starter with a high ceiling at minimum price doesn't come along often. The second-year pro flashed some of his potential in his second start in place of the sidelined Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (ankle) on Tuesday, totaling 32.0 fantasy points versus the Rockets. With a bargain-basement price tag, Bogdanovic could potentially return 3-4-times value.
Jimmy Butler, CHI
Thursday brings an abbreviated four-game slate that nevertheless manages to pack some star power in the form of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin and DeMarcus Cousins. Solid mid-tier value abounds, along with a minimum-priced starter that could both pay off handsomely and offer you significant flexibility to roster some of the elite. Here's our look at Thursday Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball.
GUARD
Jeff Teague, ATL at OKC ($30) - Teague is typically one of the most reliable options at point guard each time he takes the floor. After a rare 12.1-fantasy point clunker versus the Clippers on Nov. 28, Teague responded with 31.1, 35.5 and 25.2 fantasy points over his next three. He also tallied 31.0, 38.0 and 35.9 fantasy points in the trio of contests prior to his outlier against Los Angeles, illustrating how rare his poor performance really was. Teague might also be forced to take his aggression on offense up a notch Thursday, considering he'll be going head-to-head against Russell Westbrook.
Bojan Bogdanovic, BRO vs. PHI ($10) - Bogdanovic checks in as a "bonus" suggestion at guard, as an opportunity to nab a newly-minted starter with a high ceiling at minimum price doesn't come along often. The second-year pro flashed some of his potential in his second start in place of the sidelined Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (ankle) on Tuesday, totaling 32.0 fantasy points versus the Rockets. With a bargain-basement price tag, Bogdanovic could potentially return 3-4-times value.
Jimmy Butler, CHI vs. LAC ($39) - Butler is the priciest shooting guard on the slate, but is worth paying up for Thursday. While backcourt mate Derrick Rose will be largely left to tangle with Chris Paul's defense, Butler will often find himself facing J.J. Redick, a matchup he should usually win. The five-year pro is having an outstanding season overall, posting at least 30.3 fantasy points in 10 of his last 11, including performances of 44.7, 45.4 and 55.3 during that span.
Guard to Avoid:
Jarrett Jack, BRO vs. PHI ($28) - Jack draws a matchup versus a Sixers defense that has actually defended opposing point guards surprisingly well, yielding an average of only 19.6 actual points to the position. The Nets have also been running a great deal of offense through their impressive frontcourt duo of Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young, and the latter draws a particularly appealing individual matchup Thursday. Sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic has also stepped in for the aforementioned Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the wake of the latter's ankle injury and will potentially consume his fair share of Brooklyn's shot attempts. With a fairly elevated price -- and favorable alternatives Derrick Rose ($28) and Teague ($30) within striking distance -- Jack can be sidestepped.
FORWARD
Robert Covington, PHI at BRO ($27) - Covington has cooled off somewhat over recent games but still checks in as one of the Sixers' most reliable sources of production across all categories of the stat sheet. Even in Philadelphia's disastrous 68-point outing versus San Antonio on Monday, it was Covington who still managed to turn in a productive 13-point, six-rebound, two-assist performance that netted 22.2 fantasy points. Thursday, the Sixers should certainly be motivated to put the embarrassment of the Spurs game behind them and won't be burdened with facing the top-ranked defense in the league. Covington also draws a favorable individual matchup against the Nets regardless of what forward spot he plays, with Brooklyn defensive stalwart Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (ankle) sidelined.
Thaddeus Young, BRO vs. PHI ($30) - Young is the play on the other side of the frontcourt in the Sixers-Nets matchup. The veteran power forward has stepped up his game across the board this season, impressively posting three consecutive double-doubles, which have netted 30.2, 39.8 and 42.9 fantasy points, respectively. He could very well be in line for a fourth straight Thursday, considering he draws a Sixers defense that is ranked in the bottom five in both average points and rebounds surrendered to power forwards this season.
Forward to Avoid:
Kent Bazemore, ATL at OKC ($19) - Bazemore will reportedly be coming off the bench for the foreseeable future, meaning that his production will likely fluctuate. To further illustrate, while the Hawks forward had a solid 30.6-fantasy point outing in his last game, he'd posted totals of 21.4, 15.4 and 16.1 over the preceding three contests. The Thunder have also been stingy against small forwards this season, surrendering an average of only 17.2 actual points to the position, third fewest in the league.
CENTER
Pau Gasol, CHI vs. LAC ($33) - Gasol has scored an impressive 39.2 fantasy points or more in each of his last five games, including outstanding performances of 50.5 and 58.3 within that span. His matchup Thursday is also highly appealing, as DeAndre Jordan and the Clippers surrender 20.7 actual points and 16.0 rebounds to opposing centers per game, the latter feeding into one of Gasol's strengths and ranking fourth most in the league.
Center to Avoid:
Jahlil Okafor, PHI at BRO ($30) - Finding an avoid candidate among starting centers on Thursday's slate is a bit of a challenge, but Okafor qualifies based on recent developments, health and the availability of better options around his price tag. The rookie has been embroiled in considerable off-the-court drama over the last week and also has been getting over an illness. He came off the bench in his first game back from a team-imposed two-game suspension Monday and was 3-for-14 from the field, netting only 14.3 fantasy points. Even though Okafor will reportedly return to the starting lineup in a favorable matchup against Brook Lopez and the Nets, it's notable that he was also struggling before the suspension, netting only 22.2, 25.1, and 21.0 fantasy points over the preceding three games. With Jordan, Gasol and Lopez all available within $5 of Okafor -- and Al Horford a dollar cheaper -- the Sixers' big man can be avoided until he regains some consistency.
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